unChristian

For the past couple of months I have been getting together with another pastor discussing a book that he suggested.  That book is unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.  I can not overstate what an important book this is.  Using both statistical data and personal stories, the views that non-Christians (the authors prefer “outsiders”) have toward the church.  Those views include hypocritical, too focused on getting converts, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political and judgmental.  The authors are not afraid to talk about the mistakes of the church but they also offer suggestions on how we can shed our unChristian image.  An added feature is a collection of statements by well known Christian leaders after each chapter including Mark Batterson, Chuck Colson, Andy Stanley, John Stott and many others.  This could easily be a depressing book as the authors air the church’s dirty laundry but it is filled with optimism and a sanctified imagination that sees the potential for a truly Christian church for the future.  This book should be mandatory reading for all Christian leaders.

~ by Stephen Bedard on July 9, 2009.